Perhilitan sets trap for 'Panther' in Kg Bukit Bertam

TAIPING: Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has laid a trap
to nab the animal which had been preying on the livestock in Kampung Bukit Bertam in Batu Kurau near here
recently.Director Fakhrul Hatta Musa said the villagers claimed of sightings of a black animal
believed to be a panther in the area and the discovery of five dead cows.

"We are not sure if it is a panther as it had never been sighted before but due to
the danger to the community, we laid a trap using a goat as bait a few days ago.

Meanwhile, the villagers here expressed worry over the safety of their community and
the livestock.

Ishak Mat Akib who own a fruit orchard, claimed to have stumbled on the animal lying
on the road when he was on the way home at night.

"I was fortunate that it did not attack me. I stopped my motorcyle as soon as I saw
the panther but it got up and moved away into the bushes," he said.

Rogayah Abdul Razak, 71, said she heard strange animal sound coming several times
from the jungle near her house.

"After hearing stories of people's livestock being attacked, I now believe that the
animal whose voice I heard could be the panther.

"I now stay indoor after dark and told my grandchildren to stay in too."